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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 7 <br />Council consensus was that Director Yang would provide updated information regarding the new <br />scenarios that were discussed. Council also agreed to have a Special Meeting on September 29 at <br />7:30 pm, following the conclusion of the strategic planning meeting. <br />D. Twin Cities Gateway Discussion <br />City Administrator Jagoe stated for 2025, the City has received $19,375 from the Twin Cities <br />Gateway (TCG) Visitors Bureau; this money comes from a portion of the lodging tax that the City <br />charges its hotels and remits to the Visitors Bureau. Additionally, at the end of the 2024 period <br />there was $807.25 in grant dollars remaining which were carried over to this year for a total <br />dispersal of $20,182.25 in 2025. At the May 27th Work Session, the City Council directed staff to <br />utilize the funds towards the MN Ice Swim, Ribfest and the Norwegian Foot March, with any <br />remaining funds going towards the City's 75th Anniversary. Staff reviewed the stipulations put <br />forward by TCG regarding how the money can be spent; in short, the money is intended to bring <br />outside visitors into the City. <br />City Administrator Jagoe explained staff was recently informed that the MN Swim Event will <br />not be occurring in January 2026. Therefore, the Council should discuss and direct staff on how to <br />utilize the remaining funds of $10,145.80 for 2025. <br />• Ribfest — $4,000 <br />• Norwegian Foot March — $2,000 <br />• 75th Anniversary — $4,036.45 (20%) <br />Remaining Funds = $10,145.80 <br />City Administrator Jagoe stated additionally, the City has a second Board Member serving on <br />the Bureau's Board of Directors based on the percentage of lodging fee contributions during the <br />preceding year. This appointment is currently held by John Connelly, Twin Cities North Chamber <br />of Commerce. At the end of September, Mr. Connelly will be retiring from the Chamber of <br />Commerce. Per the Bureau agreement, each member city shall have at least one Board Member. <br />The first Board Member appointed by the City shall be an elected or appointed municipal <br />representative of that City. The second Board Member selected by the City will be from the <br />community's lodging industry. The City Council should discuss and provide direction on the <br />replacement of this second Board Member appointment for the remainder of 2025. <br />Councilmember Holden explained she supported the additional funding being designated to the <br />75th Anniversary. <br />Mayor Grant requested staff confirm that the funds could be allocated to the 75th Anniversary. <br />Councilmember Rousseau supported Councilmember Holden and Councilmember Monson <br />make decisions on how this funding could be used to market the 75th Anniversary. <br />E. Agenda Planning <br />City Administrator Jagoe stated per Council's adopted policy on agenda setting, please find the <br />proposed agenda below for the upcoming meeting. She noted the time needed for the Ramsey <br />County Projects discussion, stating a follow up budget discussion could occur following that item. <br />